3 Reasonable WR Trades Green Bay Packers can Make

Hey, did you hear? The Green Bay Packers wide receiver room is a bit thin at the moment. Under contract currently is Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, Malik Taylor, Juwann Winfree, Chris Blair, and Rico Gafford.

As we discussed in a recent article, there are free agent options still out there; however, while there is certainly upside that can be captured, each of those options comes with a but as well.

Although he may not be in his prime anymore, Julio Jones could step in and be a high-volume target who can win in all three parts of the field, but he’s played in only 19 games the last two seasons. Odell Beckham would be the best option, and we know Green Bay had interest in him just last season, but how much of the season is he going to miss recovering from his injury?

You get the idea.

This could lead to the Green Bay Packers exploring the trade market instead. While there are other expenses to be accounted for, Over the Cap currently projects that the Packers have $15.1 million in available cap space–not to mention that there are other cap-creating moves available. Green Bay also comes equipped with 11 total draft picks, including seven in the first four rounds.

So in terms of the draft capital they would have to give up and cap space needed to make an addition; the Packers certainly are in a position to swing a trade–as long as it’s within reason.

Lastly, even if the Packers were to make a trade for one of these receivers, or any other for that matter, addressing this position early on in the draft should still remain on Brian Gutekunst’s to-do list.

Now, let’s dive into three reasonable trades that the Green Bay Packers could make to give their wide receiver room a much-needed boost.

Laviska Shenault – Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars spent a lot of money on the wide receiver position this offseason, which could leave Laviska Shenault as the odd man out.

Shenault was a second-round pick by the Jaguars in 2020 and has been featured heavily in the Jacksonville offense. He has 172 career targets, including 95 last season, but has totaled just 1,219 yards despite being a high volume target and has averaged only 10.1 yards per catch.

However, with the Green Bay Packers, Shenault would be a terrific fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense. He can lineup both out wide, and in the slot, he could be utilized as that gadget-style player that we know LaFleur likes to have, being sent in motion, used on jet-sweeps, as well as on screens.

He even has 29 career rushing attempts and would add some needed YAC ability to this Packers’ receivers room. Basically, get the ball to Shenault quickly and in space, and let him do the rest–which, again, is what this LaFleur offense wants to do.

Shenault has also graded out quite well as a blocker by PFF’s metrics–something that we know is a must if you’re going to be a receiver in this Green Bay offense.

With Shenault still on his rookie deal, he is still under contract for two more seasons and comes with very reasonable cap hits that would be below $2 million in both 2022 and 2023.